Looking Back

When I was nine years old I wanted to be a fashion designer. I would hide away in my room for hours designing ball-gownesque garments. I was also obsessed with the Anne of Green Gables series at this time so most of my designs resembled a mix of the eighties married with the Victorian era. Let's just say my tastes have changed quite a bit.

What strikes me most about looking back at that nine year old version of myself was my unabashed creativity and knowing of myself. I knew my tastes. I knew what I loved. I knew who and what I wanted to be. Over the years things changed. The books collected dust while I spent hours on the phone with the friend or boyfriend of the month. I cared more about what other people thought than what my true self wanted. Eventually I lost that little girl completely.

The best thing about loosing yourself is the opportunity to find yourself again. This period of reinvention is exciting. Funny thing is my true self isn't that different that the nine year old girl. I love to read. I love that quiet time all to myself. I love creating. I just started a line of embroidered hand bags in my shop. I wanted to expand my items to reach more of a market than just home decor. It has been really exciting and I love the feel of the pencil in my hand once more creating something beautiful with passion. Who knew looking back could give you so much to look forward too.

Sprouting

Thanks to some inspiration by Ellen at Handmade Recess, I have been thinking about the concept of waiting. What if we didn't have to wait? What if everything was instant gratification? What if we didn't have to work our tush off to get what we want?
Some things would be fine to get right away...an iced latte, a hug from a loved one. But what about the big ticket items, there is usually much learned in the waiting process and in the working process. For instance, in the six months since I opened my Etsy shop I've learned things that have put me in a better position for the future of my business. Some are creative and conceptual, but others are nitty gritty business: what's the best packaging materials, what's the best way to file processed orders, what items should I keep filed for tax purposes. These items aren't glamorous but are as necessary to being successful as anything else.

What if huge sales would've hit from the get-go? Maybe I could have learned as I went but something most likely would have suffered like my customer service or my family life.

I like to find parallels in nature in any situation. It has almost become a hobby. When you plant a seed you don't reap fruit overnight. It takes time, some effort, some weeding out of things unnecessary, and some waiting. This is not wasted time, this is time to think and plan your next steps. No matter how much you toil in the soil, the plant will not grow any faster than intended. This is nature's time for us to get ready for a harvest.